Universal baby bottle brush holder

ABSTRACT

A storage receptacle that holds a cylindrical brush utilized to clean baby bottles, comprising a cylindrically shaped receptacle having a hingedly attached top and a bottom comprising vented openings, wherein the hingedly attached top further comprises a U shaped opening to accommodate the handle of an inverted bottle brush. The receptacle can be mounted to a surface by suction cups.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This patent application claims priority under 35 USC 119 (e) (1) fromU.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/941,425 filed Feb. 18,2014, of common inventorship herewith entitled, “Universal Baby BrushHolder,” which is incorporated herein by reference as though the samewere set forth in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to the field of kitchen accessories, andmore specifically to the field of cleaning and drying organizers, andeven more specifically to the field of holding baby bottle brushes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The prior art has put forth several designs for cleaning and dryingorganizers. Among these are:

US Patent 2004/0099617 to Elie Elias and Hyung-Rok Kim describes anorganizer for holding dishes, pots, pans, flatware, and otherkitchenware or utensils situated over the sink. The organizer comprisesa frame which is situated over the sink and onto which dish racks,shelves, hooks, drawers and bins that hold the aforementionedkitchenware are either permanently or temporarily attached. The over thesink design frees up the kitchen counter space and allows direct liquiddrainage into kitchen sink for drying wet utensils.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,530,502 to Mylene Neal describes a dishwashing caddyconstructed with internal volumes for holding soap liquid and lotion aswell as compartments for storing cleaning brushes and the like. The topsurface is strongly slanted forward and the bottom internal partition isalso slanted forward to dispense water through weep holes. Pump actiondispensing of the liquids is accomplished. Suction cups mount the unitto a wall or hold it in place while on the sink or other support.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,238,106 to Melody R. Nguyen and Tung D. Nguyen describesan organizer consisting of two main parts, a base and a lid. The base issectioned into compartments by a divider. One compartment is used forstoring sponges, and the other is used for storing sponges or cleaningtools with handles or combination of both. The slots on the sides of thebase accommodate those tools with handles. Drainage holes on the bottomof the base allow liquid to drain out. There are also suction cups onthe outside of the bottom of the base to keep it in place. The lid ofthe organizer, when opened, serves as a reservoir to hold washingsolution. When closed, the lid hides the unsightly cleaning tools.

U.S. Pat. D585170 to Scott A. Henderson, Ellen D. Diamant and Michael E.Diamant describes an ornamental design for a combined drying rack andbottle brush. The drying rack contains a base plate and dryingreceptacles.

None of these prior art references describe the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a storage receptaclethat holds cylindrical brushes.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a storagereceptacle that holds cylindrical brushes utilized to clean babybottles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustrative prototypical diagonal back view showing aninserted baby bottle brush and suction cups for adherence to a countertop, sink ledge, backsplash or wall.

FIG. 2 is a prototypical close up view of an opened flap located on thetop of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a prototypical diagonal back view showing air vents locatedacross the bottom of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

For most parents of babies or toddlers, a baby bottle is a must haveitem. Baby bottles provide nourishing milk to an infant and help tosoothe and comfort a baby especially in times of colic and fussiness. Ababy bottle also is used by many nursing mothers as a means of feedingtheir child when traveling or when in public. From the time of birthwhen a bottle provides the sole means of nourishment until the toddleryears when a bottle is offered as a nutritional accompaniment to solidfoods or as a nighttime snack, a bottle of warm milk is essential for ahealthy and happy child. Following use of a baby bottle, mostconscientious parents and caregivers recognize the importance ofcleaning the bottle to eradicate milk or juice residue. A standard babybottle brush is an invaluable commodity to anyone who bottle feeds theirchild. Comprised of an elongated handle with its distal end containing asturdy cylindrical brush head with radiating bristles, baby bottlebrushes are designed to easily sweep the interior walls of the bottle aswell as reach any residue that is lingering in the bottom. These brushesprovide a simple way in which to thoroughly and easily clean babybottles, ensuring a sanitary and sterile bottle is presented to thechild at each feeding. Perhaps the only drawback associated with babybottle brushes has to do with storing these brushes following use.Because of their size and shape, bottle brushes are difficult toproperly and safely store. Stored along with other scouring brushes, abottle brush is exposed to germs and bacteria lingering on thesescrubbing tools. If tucked into a utensil drawer or other storagereceptacle when moist, bacteria and mold may grow on the brush,compromising the integrity of this ubiquitous cleaning tool.

The present invention, hereinafter referred to as the Universal BabyBottle Brush Holder, is a storage receptacle that holds cylindricalbrushes utilized to clean baby bottles. The present invention providesparents of infant and toddler children and other child care providerswith a simple and sanitary means of storing these devices between uses.Please refer to the Figures. A sleek and attractive storage receptacle10, the Universal Baby Brush Holder is manufactured of rust resistantstainless steel material. Other suitable materials, such as BPA-freeplastic is also suitable. A cylindrically shaped receptacle 10, theUniversal Baby Bottle Brush Holder measures approximately five inches inheight by three inches in diameter. Its base is solid stainless steel,or other suitable material, and its top 16 opens upward for easyinsertion of an inverted bottle brush. The bottom 18 of the UniversalBaby Bottle Brush Holder comprises vented openings 20 that allow air tocirculate around the baby bottle brush 12. These openings 20 facilitatethe baby bottle brush's drying process while also preventing mold andbacteria from growing on the brush. Hingedly attached to the upper edgeof the device, the top 16 of the present invention is a plastic flapcovering with a U shaped opening 22 designed to accommodate the handleof the inverted bottle brush stored within the Universal Baby BottleBrush Holder 10. This covering 16 protects the integrity of the brush12, preventing dust or other airborne contaminants from settling on thebrush head when stored. Two heavy duty suction cup fasteners 24 areincluded for use with the Universal Baby Bottle Brush Holder. Thesesuction cups 24 adhere to the side of the present invention and secureit to a backsplash or wall and mount the receptacle in a verticalorientation.

Application and use of the Universal Baby. Bottle Brush Holder is verysimple and straight forward. A user selects a designated area in theirsink to place the present invention. The user may mount the UniversalBaby Bottle Brush Holder 10 to the sink wall, backsplash or wall behindor near the sink. After selecting a designated area, the user securesthe suction cup fasteners 24 to the side of the Universal Baby BottleBrush Holder 10, places it against the designated sink wall and pressesit down firmly, adhering the suction cups 24 to the surface. Easilyinstalled, the Universal Baby Bottle Brush Holder is ready for immediateuse. After cleaning a baby bottle with a bottle brush 12, the userwashes the brush and places the inverted bottle brush 12 directly intothe open Universal Baby Bottle Brush Holder 10. The user pulls the flapcover 16 over the top of the brush so the handle of the brush emergesthrough the cover's slotted opening 22 and the Universal Baby BottleBrush Holder 10 is securely closed. Stored inside the Universal BabyBottle Brush Holder, the bristles of the bottle brush quickly dry as aircirculates around the brush through the vented openings. The bottlebrush 12 is left within the Universal Baby Bottle Brush Holder and iseasily removed and replaced as needed to clean baby bottles.

A practical alternative to storing a bottle brush or other kitchenscouring brushes, the Universal Baby Bottle Brush Holder protects thebrush head from cross contamination that may result from being exposedto these commonly utilized kitchen accessories. The Universal BabyBottle Brush Holder is BPA free, sparing the child from exposure to thisharmful chemical agent. Highly effective for use in any household whereinfant and toddler children are present, the Universal Baby Bottle BrushHolder also is well suited for use in day care centers and other childcare establishments. Sleek in design and practical in function, theUniversal Baby Bottle Brush Holder compliments virtually any kitchendecor while providing reliable and sanitary storage for bottle brushes.Durably constructed, the Universal Baby Bottle Brush Holder willwithstand years of continued use.

Although this invention has been described with respect to specificembodiments, it is not intended to be limited thereto and variousmodifications which will become apparent to the person of ordinary skillin the art are intended to fall within the spirit and scope of theinvention as described herein taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings and the appended claims.

1. A storage receptacle that holds a cylindrical brush utilized to cleanbaby bottles, comprising: a cylindrically shaped receptacle having ahingedly attached top and a bottom comprising vented openings, whereinthe hingedly attached top further comprises a U shaped opening toaccommodate the handle of an inverted bottle brush.
 2. The storagereceptacle of claim 1, further comprising one or more suction cupfasteners to attach the receptacle to a surface.
 3. The storagereceptacle of claim 1, wherein the receptacle measures approximatelyfive inches in height by three inches in diameter.
 4. The storagereceptacle of claim 2, wherein the receptacle measures approximatelyfive inches in height by three inches in diameter.
 5. The storagereceptacle of claim 1, wherein the receptacle is manufactured ofstainless steel, BPA-free plastic, or a combination of stainless steeland BPA-free plastic.
 6. The storage receptacle of claim 2, wherein thereceptacle is manufactured of stainless steel, BPA-free plastic, or acombination of stainless steel and BPA-free plastic.
 7. The storagereceptacle of claim 2, wherein the suction cups are mounted to the sideof the receptacle to mount the receptacle in a vertical orientation. 8.The storage receptacle of claim 2, comprising two suction cups.